Ohio Reef

Reef Discussion => Equipment => Topic started by: ohioreef on June 02, 2021, 17:44:00

Title: Skimmer Recommendation
Post by: ohioreef on June 02, 2021, 17:44:00: Looks like I am going to have to replace my ASM G1 skimmer. The pump quit and the replacement pump makes it too big for my sump.

I am looking at a skimmer with the pump inside the skimmer. I see there are several brands, eshopps, icecap, red sea, etc.

Any thoughts on which one is both economical as well as a good performer. It will need to fit in a 8.25"x10" chamber. My total water volume is probably between 100-120 gallons.

I see eshopps has a S-xxx and a X-xxx series. Any idea what the difference is? The S-xxx are a little less expensive.
Title: Re: Skimmer Recommendation
Post by: dbowman on June 03, 2021, 07:16:35: i am fairly happy with the bubble magus curve 5. it does a good job, but in less than a year the nylon screws holding the outside to the bottom plate got bound up in the base and broke when removing to clean. i just replaced them with nuts and bolts from Lowe's.
Title: Re: Skimmer Recommendation
Post by: dbjonesjr on June 03, 2021, 09:03:17: If not urgent I would wait for a close out sale on a skimmer. People have their personal opinions but technology hasn’t changed much in skimmers and I wouldn’t worry about having the latest and greatest. I had the X-160 4th gen and really liked it but missed having a skimmer drain valve (I had to take the cup off to empty skim mate).
Title: Re: Skimmer Recommendation
Post by: ohioreef on June 03, 2021, 15:22:13: Icecaps are on sale for 20% off right now at a couple places.

In looking at them, they all look pretty similar. I really liked my ASM, but they don’t make the pump for it anymore and the replacement pump is too big for my sump.
Title: Re: Skimmer Recommendation
Post by: Straasha on June 03, 2021, 21:59:25: I have a Simplicity 120DC Skimmer and really like it. They are worth checking out. https://www.simplicityaquatics.com/skimmers/
Title: Re: Skimmer Recommendation
Post by: ohioreef on June 03, 2021, 22:01:40: Any issues getting it dialed in? I’d read a couple reviews saying it was hard to get dialed in.
Title: Re: Skimmer Recommendation
Post by: Straasha on June 03, 2021, 22:14:08: The DC Pump makes it easy to dial in. I leave the water and air valves open while using the DC pump to fine tune it. Works great. If you want to see it, you can come by and take a look.
Title: Re: Skimmer Recommendation
Post by: ohioreef on June 03, 2021, 22:19:28: May have to take you up on that.
Title: Re: Skimmer Recommendation
Post by: ohioreef on June 06, 2021, 19:12:48: Ended up getting an Icecap K1-130. They were 20% off so price was right.

Thanks for the comments. Looking at the Reef Octos and the Icecaps there is very little difference between them. Actually looks like they may share some parts.

Fits very nicely in my sump. Only possible issue will be my water level. They recommend 6-8” and I am at 9”, but nothing a platform of some kind wouldn’t fix.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210606/2bb7b0b3d135dd0be061c524b65f3994.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210606/8fdb3507ad62b7292115dd953d7469c5.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210606/7f733ac5130898ad4e999d6e36a0976d.jpg)
Title: Re: Skimmer Recommendation
Post by: dbjonesjr on June 06, 2021, 19:29:15: Lot of people use egg crate for a platform.
Title: Re: Skimmer Recommendation
Post by: ohioreef on June 06, 2021, 19:57:34: Quote from: dbjonesjr on June 06, 2021, 19:29:15
Lot of people use egg crate for a platform.
Thanks! That’s a good idea. I was also thinking of possibly cutting a white cutting board to the size I need.
Title: Re: Skimmer Recommendation
Post by: The WuSue on October 06, 2021, 07:47:21: I was looking at BRS videos when looking at getting back into reef tanks saw some porus rock slabs that looked like thick Legos. Added filtration and the need gets met.